Thursday, May 31, 2012

At least a day prior to each day of Philly Beer Week 2012, I'll be posting up a small look into what to expect both in terms of the day's calendar of events as well as key/significant/interesting events as well as where you might likely spot me during the day and/or night.

For the hungry
~ Prism makes some beers that call out for attention. Brunch may be the perfect venue for some of them, like the Chocolate Bacon Stout and Blood Orange Blond. Continental is hosting Prism for Saturday morning brunch. There are several other brunches, like a North Coast-themed one at Capone's, also taking place on this first Saturday of PBW '12.

Possibly under the radar
~ Just because the event is listed as a Main Line Jazz Fest, don't be fooled. The portion of the closed-street event that Teresa's Next Door is responsible for has traditionally been an over-the-top solid event put on in conjunction with Tröegs. Both Lew's Scratch and Jack's Scratch will be there. As will a firkin of Perpetual IPA. Oh yeah.

~ You've likely heard of Boxcar Brewing Company out of West Chester, Pa. They make a fair amount of beer, though I don't see it around the city or 'burbs as much as I'd expect. Here's a good chance to drink of their beer while riding the rails.

And for The Brew Lounge
~ I believe that I'll follow last year's equation and hit up the city first and finish up in the 'burbs. Therefore, I'll begin with a bite to eat (they're advertising fish & chips and meat pies) and a few glasses of cask-conditioned beer at Johnny Brenda's.

~ Big time fun 'n' games at Kite & Key. You've heard the history and the reputation of this event, I trust. If not, just show up. Trust me. You won't regret it. If not for the craziness, then for the always-solid lineup of beers.

Around Philadelphia, June only means one thing in the world of beer: Philly Beer Week. Beginning June 1, the fifth annual installment of the world's best 10 days of beer kicks off. Roughly 800 events (give or take, who's counting?) are scheduled.

Instead of listing them all out here, simply head over to PBW's official website. Also, keep tabs on the week at my own Philly Beer Week 2012 Index, where I'll be centralizing everything worth sharing with you during what always proves to be an epic ten-day show of the best the beer world has to offer.

Let's look now here instead at the rest of the month. If there's any beer left after PBW '12, here's what you can expect from establishments in and around Philadelphia.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

With so much eating, drinking, and writing on the horizon for the next two weeks, it's hard to imagine wanting to bite off (sorry) another assignment just days after returning from Belgium and days before embarking on the wild journey that will be Philly Beer Week #5.

There are not enough superlatives to describe last night's dinner at Monk's Café in Philadelphia. Russian River and Sierra Nevada Brewing Companies from northern California sent their top honchos in advance of Philly Beer Week to put on a dinner show of epic proportions. They each brought their wives as well.

To match the beer in the kitchen, Monk's brought in Brian Morin, a veteran of many Monk's Café dinners, from Toronto's famed beerbistro.

Let's get the menu out of the way up front this time.

Sierra Nevada Pilsner
~ served with an Amuse Bouche of toast point with local goat cheese and breakfast radish

Grossman and Cilurzo both led off the evening with comments regarding their deep love and appreciation for Philadelphia and its beer scene. They aren't sticking around for Philly Beer Week this time around, but when their friend, Peters, wants to include their beer in a dinner a few days prior to PBW, they made sure to clear their calendars.

The evening turned out to be quite the who's-who of beer in Philadelphia. It seemed as if half the crowd (both the front and back rooms, including barstools, were seated for this dinner) was a recognizable face from brewers to distributors to reps. It was a great chance to catch up with everyone, particularly just prior to the impending PBW madness.

Philly's own Beer Lass, and Allagash representative, Suzanne Woods tweeted something to the effect of "am I the only person not at tonight's dinner at Monk's?"

Some combination of Cilurzo, Grossman, and Peters introduced almost every pairing of the extravagant 9-course meal. The most interesting stories on the beer side of the table involved the Russian River Row 2/Hill 56 Simcoe as Cilurzo described the brewery's deepening ties to the hop farmers (in this case those that source his Simcoe hops from one of the three Yakima Valley farms that source all of the world's Simcoe), the Symposium Brown, and of course the collaborative Brux.

Cilurzo talked a bit about how the Symposium Brown came together for the 2011 Craft Brewers Conference with Ken Grossman (yeast), Brian (recipe), Fritz Maytag (barrels), and himself ("shepherd") each playing their respective role in crafting this fine sour beer with no fruit involved.

The new Brux is one of the more talked-about beers of 2012 if, as Grossman explained, for no other reason than getting the "old man (his father, Ken) to relent after 32 years of trying to keep Brettanomyces out of the brewery".

This was the first commercial pouring of the beer outside the northern California brewery walls.

Originally code-named Global Warming, this beer was born in Brian (and Gina) Grossman's kitchen, for father's fear at the time of introducing a wild yeast into the brewery operations. For my palate, the beer is a refreshing sour, not overly bracing, and displays lemon citrus flavors. The funk registers fairly low and it should be a beer that is interesting to follow as it ages in the bottle. It will be distributed through the Sierra Nevada network, though availability is promised to be extremely thin even in the Philadelphia market.

As for the food, the success of the kitchen on this particular night seemed to grow upon itself course after course. Morin began with a pleasing amuse bouche of radishes and goat cheese and moved into a delectable hunk of smoked, black cod. As well done as these first two bites were, the execution of some of the following courses — namely the steak, ravioli, duck, and chocolate tart — were delivered as perfectly as the words on the menu suggested they would be. There's nothing more disappointing than having high hopes after initially reading a menu be crushed when the fork hits the mouth. Not on this night.

How about those pairings, right? Morin had the chance to sit down with the beers ahead of time in Toronto to give himself the best chance for success in building the menu. In this guy's book, he scored the most points with the Brux and papaya slaw under the black cod, the Simcoe beer with the mushroom ragout on the steak plate, the Supplication and duck breasts with sour cherries, and (you could've guessed) the Knock on Wood and chocolate tart.

The Knock on Wood, since I haven't described it until this point (and hadn't even heard of such a beer until the dinner), is basically SN's Hellraiser beer, a chipotle/chocolate stout aged for 16 months in Heaven Hill barrels. Any hint of pepper had basically yielded to the barrel-aging effects and scored one last winning note on a menu full of tasty treats.

Yet, after all the superlatives, no amount of insults is greater than the ones that I'm boomeranging at myself this morning for one of the worst displays of inferior, offensive, and amateur pictures from the dinner. I suppose it proves that you can give a big boy a big camera, but that it guarantees nothing. To be fair, I was up for Beer Writer of the Year, not photographer. Still, I've included a few of the pictures that I snapped from the dinner, even (regrettfully) the well-composed one of Grossman, Peters, Cilurzo, and Morin. The only way I could make it halfway presentable for you was to turn it to black-and-white.

It's a crowded world of beer events around Philadelphia. Always has been and has only continued get more so over the years. Still, if you've not treated yourself to a special beer dinner at Monk's Café, then you've not yet experienced some of the best that the Philadelphia beer scene has to offer.

At least a day prior to each day of Philly Beer Week 2012, I'll be posting up a small look into what to expect both in terms of the day's calendar of events as well as key/significant/interesting events as well as where you might likely spot me during the day and/or night.

For the wild and wacky and downright different
~ There likely is not a sight to behold more wild and wacky than the Hammer of Glory tour route that it will embark on beginning at 7 a.m. at Devil's Den and wrapping up an exhausting 12 hours later at the Opening Tap event in historic Old City Philadelphia at the Independence Visitors Center. It's not very practical to think that many would follow the Hammer for the full 12 hours, but if you haven't seen it en route in the past, be sure to check this out during at least one of its stops along the way. So far, the weather looks to be cooperating for this unique "parade", so use this opportunity to start your Philly Beer Week on a fun note — like there's any other way.

~ Do you want to see folks dressed in tank tops, trucker hats, and daisy dukes? I probably don't; hold on while I re-consider the daisy dukes. Varga Bar is having Southern food event that sounds like a blast if you do.

Possibly under the radar
~ Since I'll almost likely be taking the train in from the 'burbs, it goes without saying that I'll be at Bridgewater's Pub inside 30th Street train station multiple times during the week. On this first day, they'll be showcasing Czech Pilsners from Staropramen. Count me there too to help lift this on to the radar.

~ Doobies always seems off the radar. But, on June 1, they've got Matt Allyn and a bunch of his beers in tow that should make for a swell evening.

And for The Brew Lounge
~ As much as I talk up the Hammer of Glory, I just took off over two weeks from work to hang out in Belgium. Taking another day off work at this point simply is not in the cards.

~ Opening Tap is fun, but there is so much else going on during it. Used to be that very little happened until Opening Tap officially kicked things off, but times have changed. Seeing the Mayor do his ceremonial tapping is always cool and a lot of who's-who is typically inside, but I may pass on it this year to search out what else is going on during it. Like...

~ I still have not been to American Sardine, so swinging by for some cheese and Ommegang beer sounds like a fine way to get the night underway.

~ Up to Devil's Den for the Bella Vista Bash could get me in trouble, time-wise, but looking at some of the rare draft lines that they'll have flowing might make it quite worth the risk.

~ Monk's will be one of the first places to showcase the PBW collaboration beer between Iron Hill and Brasserie Dupont in Belgium. Stopping in for a quick one would be appropriate.

~ While in Belgium, Sly Fox's head of sales, Patrick Mullin, convinced me that Fergie's should be the proper place to descend upon after Opening Tap — or wherever the night has taken you up until that point. Live bluegrass music and Sly Fox beer sounds like the right ticket.

That's a bit much to digest for the first day. I'll see what I can do to condense the recommendations in coming days, but I make no promises; you might have heard, Philly Beer Week is huge!

As I mentioned in the comments at Curtin's site, in brief: "...look at the winners and give them the credit they deserve, almost all of which are difficult to argue. And, celebrate all of the nominees (whom, if I’m not mistaken, are chosen by their peers, not the public) that go a long way in making up our rich fabric..."

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Okay, then. After asking last week for your recommendations, I've received some pointers from many of you in the form of comments, e-mails, and Facebook recommendations.

I've taken these and cruised the PBW '12 calendar to put together a half-baked plan of attack for June 1-10. Along the way, I've made some observations and a list of things you might find interesting as well.

We're capping it at 400 runners, and I fully expect to hit the cap as the week of PBW goes along. Don't be left out; sign up now. Great prizes, schwag, and post-party included! Plus, you can volunteer if you don't feel like running. (We'll love you just as much for doing that, too.)

I've covered all the years of Philly Beer Week. I feel pretty confident to say that no one has covered it more comprehensively. If you'd like some background and context (and pictures for added illustration), perhaps you can begin with this link to last year's wrap-up.

In my last few days of intense research to catch up post-Belgium, here's just a smattering of other goodies that I've uncovered that seem worth sharing with you. Random, incomplete, and in no particular order.

~ All week long at the Four Seasons Hotel with the With Love Beer Garden, including Sly Fox's Kan Jam again on this year on Thursday. I'll be participating again with William Reed as my teammate. Wonder if there's a way the high-end hotel might include some mention on its own website?!

~ More kink this year than ever. Between Woodies, Delilah's, The Institute, and The Trestle Inn (others likely, too), you'll find event names and descriptions that could make you, or at least maybe your grandmother (unless she's the really cool type of grandmother) blush. Will be interesting to hear how those nights will go.

~ I'd have to compare to last year's calendar, but a cursory review (and some talking around as well) gives me the sense that the suburbs are scaling back this year. I won't get in to it, but if you read closely enough, you know my feeling on this topic.

~ There are close to twenty events in the "Home Brewing" category. Pretty cool that this segment of brewing gets the proper nod as well. Historically, these events are usually home runs.

~ There are over 50 events categorized as "Free Beer for Sparks". What exactly is that?

~ Have many venues not yet posted events or did they pay only to advertise themselves on the PBW website? Curious, since I'm trying to envision which events might pop up at the Xfinity Live bars that are listed on the calendar. They're not the only ones.

~ Smartphone app is as good as ever. Still beats the website, imo, which in fairness, though, as come a long way in five years. Nice to see events can still be tagged as "favorites" in the phone app, however the ability to save private lists of events via the website seems to have disappeared this year.

Monday, May 28, 2012

I'm finally getting my feet back under me after two wonderful weeks in Belgium. Here is a handful of things to discuss from the past few weeks. Got any news that I'm might have missed while out of the "office"? Drop a line and let me know.

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant announced plans for its tenth location & in Voorhees, NJ. When I first read it, I saw "V" and first thought, "wow, interesting that they're going into Vineland, NJ!" But, then I re-read and thought, "hey, that's one location I'd guessed a while back".

THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Remember Chris Leonard from days of General Lafayette Inn & Brewery? He's resurfaced in Texas (Missouri City, just to make it a bit confusing) outside of Houston. His plan is to open Fort Bend Brewing Company later this year. From a recent Facebook posting, he says "...Fort Bend beer should be everywhere in the Houston area by mid-fall. We're expecting our 30-bbl brew house to be delivered in late July, installed by September, and cranking out beer before October."

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Strange thing happened two days ago when we arrived home from Belgium. It wasn't necessarily the 22 bottles and 4 pieces of glassware that we unpacked from our luggage (some might call this a "beer haul", I believe) that made their home with us & though, many might say that in and of itself is strange enough.

No, it was the box that was mailed to me while we were gone. So I thought you'd enjoy seeing a picture of the fine beer that flew 4,000 miles to take up residence at The Brew Lounge alongside the promotional pack of Miller Lite and Genuine Draft new punch top cans that showed up on my doorstep. Nice juxtaposition. Review of the new punch top, perhaps, forthcoming.

If there's been a noticeable change in this year's Philly Beer Week & even before it's begun & is not just the amount, but the quality of the p.r./marketing to draw attention to the massive undertaking that Philly Beer Week is.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

I suppose that I should lead off with "no, I won't be doing the ever-popular PBW-calendar-of-events-turned-spreadsheet this year." Many of asked, but I just can't justify getting into it this year.

I've been in Belgium, mostly Brugge, for the past two weeks and it's been wonderful. And, to be honest, even though I took my laptop with me, other than talking about Philly Beer Week with other traveling beer companions as well as keeping tabs on my own special event with Dock Street, I didn't give the PBW calendar one thought.

How can you help me? Tell me about some of the, let's say, less-showy events. It's not too difficult for me to figure out which are the big and geeky ones. But, I'd really like to focus on some of the unsung heroes and lesser-publicized, but no less quality, events across the Philly beer landscape.

Oh, and by the way, for the doubters, the Dock Street 5-k Beer Run will likely hit 300 registered attendees next week. Paired with the Music Festival, it should be a top 10 & maybe even top 5 & attended event during PBW '12. Just a bit of pride showing through :)

Food and Beer events@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Spargelfest ($PAYG as every Thursday through Sunday in May, Chef Jeremy Nolen will be preparing some special dishes highlighting asparagus. An amazing draft/bottle list packed with tons of delicious beers to pair with the courses.)

@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 5/29 - Russian River / Sierra Nevada Collaboration Dinner (7:00pm; $95 for a seven-course meal, overseen by beerbistro's Brian Morin in Toronto, paired with three beers that the breweries collaborated on: 1) CBC Sour Brown, brewed for the Craft Brewers Conference; 2) Exportation Baltic Porter, a sour aged porter; and 3) the introduction of Brux, the brettanomyces aged Belgian-style ale. We will have two additional beers from each brewery. This will be a kick-ass seven course dinner. Vinnie & Natalie from Russian River and Brian Grossman of Sierra Nevada will be on hand for the dinner. They will speak about their individual breweries and how their personal friendship led to these collaborative beers. This will be an interesting evening.)

Homebrewing, Charity, and Education@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Liters for Litters ($PAYG as every Saturday in May from opening until 5 p.m., 50% of all draft beer sales will go to PAWS. Order a liter and get a raffle ticket for a great prize.)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tonight, Philly Beer Scene, the magazine, celebrates the best of Philly Beer, the scene. I won't be able to celebrate with them at the red-carpeted World Café Live, but it did remind me of a couple Brewer's Plates ago where Founding Editor, Mat Falco, traded a Weyerbacher Tiny and one of his logo'ed pint glasses for two Tröegs Java Head Stouts from a case that had been bequeathed to me.

So, today I toast all of the soon-to-be winners at tonight's show and encourage all to steel themselves for the Best of Philly Beer Scene about to be unleashed all over Philly Beer Week.

"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events@Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, Pa.--- Sat. 5/19 - 15th Anniversary Party (3:00pm; $PAYG for fun and games and food and beer all day and in to the night with late night in the Abbey Bar)

@Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ--- Sat. 5/19 - AC Beer vs. Wine (7:00pm-11:00pm; $40/$70/$75/$80 for a festival that will showcase 15 American craft breweries, 15 American wineries, and Atlantic City's finest restaurants. During this event, attendees will have a chance to sample what local restaurateurs have prepared to enhance the taste of participating beers and wines in order for attendees to decide which completes each dish best, beer or wine. Throughout the night, local chefs will perform cooking demos while beer enthusiast and sommeliers host seminars and hot debates on all subjects beer and wine.)

@Cannstatter Volkfest Verein, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 5/19 - Northeast Philadelphia Beer Festival (1:00pm-5:00pm; $30/$35 for some of the best local bands, great food, and 50+ beers from all over the world.)

@Phoenix Sports Club, Feasterville, Pa.--- Sat. 5/19 - Hampton BrewFest (1:00pm-5:00pm; $10/$35/$40/$45 for a souvenir tasting glass for unlimited beer and wine tasting from local and regional brewers and wineries. All ticket holders can enjoy four hours of great live music for their listening and dancing pleasure, in addition to browsing our retail product vendors. Food will be available for purchase from various local restaurants.)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 5/19 - Mayfair May Fair (5:00pm-9:00pm; $PAYG for a day of fun for all ages. From Noon to 6 p.m., Frankford Avenue from Wellington to Friendship Street will host a number of events. The fun continues from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. down at the south end. **Live music from several acts on the 6200 block of Frankford Avenue, Art Fair, 6200 block of Frankford Avenue, Car show, and Yards Brewing Night at The Grey Lodge Pub.)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 5/22 - Philly Beer Scene Best Of Awards Show (7:30pm-10:30pm; $10/$15 & $PAYG bar. Joe Gunn from Jose Pistolas hosts the annual awards show to bring attention to the best that the Philly beer landscape has to offer.)

Food and Beer events@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Spargelfest ($PAYG as every Thursday through Sunday in May, Chef Jeremy Nolen will be preparing some special dishes highlighting asparagus. An amazing draft/bottle list packed with tons of delicious beers to pair with the courses.)

Homebrewing, Charity, and Education@Appalachian Brewing Company, Camp Hill, Pa.--- Sat. 5/19 - Home Brew Festival/Expo (12:00pm-4:00pm; $20 to sample from all of the Home Brewers and a buffet lunch, as well as a chance to vote for the Crowd Favorite, the Most Unique, and the Best at Show.)

@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Liters for Litters ($PAYG as every Saturday in May from opening until 5 p.m., 50% of all draft beer sales will go to PAWS. Order a liter and get a raffle ticket for a great prize.)

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

(FarmHands and HopHands, two Tired Hands beers that you should be seeing plenty of and enjoying plenty)

Tired Hands is so close to opening that you can smell it. Literally.

Owner Jean Broillet is readying eight beers for tap lines that will flow his tasty brew house creations on opening day. The opening will be rather "soft" with a grander opening coming in June.

My last stop prior to heading off to Belgium came two weeks ago when he and his crew were sanding wood floors, brewing beer, and awaiting the last inspection which should be coming any day now and for which all signs point to an opening day before the end of the month.

Here are a few pictures from my last visit at the beginning of May. I'll look forward to seeing you there in June.

(Signs of progress and creativity are all around Tired Hands Brewing Company)

(In the cold box with HopHands on makeshift tap)

(The first floor bar and tap tower)

(The first floor bar)

(Second floor being turned into a very comfortable space)

(From the second floor staircase looking down on the first floor bar)

(At work on Foliage)

(Broillet channeling his creativity circa 2006 in the foothills of the Adirondacks)

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Some more Goat Race goodness courtesy of Jack Curtin -- here and here and here and here -- who seemed to apologize for an over-coverage of the event. Probably just compensating for those of us who were not there to do so. But, really, tell me there's anything out there quite like it.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

For the 100+ "beer weeks" across the country, beginning tomorrow is the annual American Craft Beer Week brought to you/us by the Brewers Association. This would be the national effort to bring an ever-increasing attention to the fine beverage we all know and love.

I'm not usually one to draw a ton of attention to myself. But, here today, you'll discover a bit more about me, for anyone who might care to know that little bit more about me. And, no, I did not receive a Subaru as compensation.

I was generally pleased by the article and the theme of creating balance in life. However, for those of you that know me best, you'll quickly point out that there's a quote that could never be attributed to me: "I keep on top of what's going on in the beer world, but I don't partake during training." Say what? Exactly. Not from this guy's mouth. Plus, you also know that I don't encourage ".....quit drinking long before any race."

Still, like I said, it's a decent piece aimed to talk about a well-balanced life. Thanks to anyone who has already commented on or shared the piece and the well wishes.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Guess what? You can register for one of Philly Beer Week's most diverse events tonight at Philadelphia Runner and get free Dock Street Beer! As you know, this is the event I'm co-organizing with Dock Street and I'd be might pleased, and honored, if you'd join us that afternoon & whether or not you run.

Plenty more great-looking beer events from free to not-so-free to keep you hydrated as the weather heats up this spring. Get out there and enjoy!

@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Mon. 5/14 - Storm King Monday (11:30am; $PAYG to celebrate the first day of American Craft Beer Week with a 2003 vintage keg of Storm King Stout. Explore the flavor transformation that Storm King has when paired with three distinct tapas.)

@Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 5/12 - Don't Block the Bocks (All day; $PAYG for a handful of Bocks from local breweries like Sly Fox, Stoudt's, Victory, Lancaster, Ramstein, and Tröegs. The kitchen will be serving up brats, bockwurst, and the delectable raw milk cheeses of Birchrun Hills Farm. The winner of last year's Sly Fox Goat Race, the 3-legged upstart, Peggy, will be visiting from Noon until 3 p.m.)

@Nodding Head, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 5/12 - Monkey Madness (3:00pm-6:00pm; $PAYG as Gordon will be recreating our famous Monkey Knife Fight-lemon grass and ginger beer. He has already created 3 versions and is brainstorming with Fava on a few more.)

@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Spargelfest ($PAYG as every Thursday through Sunday in May, Chef Jeremy Nolen will be preparing some special dishes highlighting asparagus. An amazing draft/bottle list packed with tons of delicious beers to pair with the courses.)

Homebrewing, Charity, and Education@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Liters for Litters ($PAYG as every Saturday in May from opening until 5 p.m., 50% of all draft beer sales will go to PAWS. Order a liter and get a raffle ticket for a great prize.)

If you don't run, you can volunteer. If you'd rather do neither, come on out after 2 p.m. anyway to cheer on the runners and to see a music festival that has gathered quite a bit of praise over the past few years as one of Day 10's most celebrated event.

Monday, May 07, 2012

PHILADELPHIA
~ Every two years, the Craft Brewers Conference concludes with the presentation of World Beer Cup awards. Philadelphia was represented on the winner's stage by Dock Street (a bronze for Prisoner of Hell in the Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale). Life at Tröegs got still more sweet with a bronze medal for Troegenator, up against 29 other entries in Traditional German-style Bock. But, no one likely came home more deservedly happy than Iron Hill, which continues to prove its awesomeness and provide more ammunition against its critics. On the back of its Media location powerhouse brewer, Bob Barrar, and his Old Ale and Russian Imperial Stout, Iron Hill brought home a gold medal for each of the beers in addition to Small Brewpub of the Year honors.

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Life dealt me more than I could fit in along side a visit to the annual Sly Fox Goat Races & Bock Fest. Looking for a decent wrap-up online. Not finding much. Jack Curtin's got a bit of a tease after resurfacing, but I guess everyone else was in San Diego.

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 5/9 - Ommegang Goes to the Opera (7:00pm-11:00pm; $PAYG for a selection of limited release drafts from Ommegang along with a special cheese plate from DiBruno Bros. Hennepin, Adoration, Art of Darkness, Seduction, Witte, and Duvel Single. At 10 p.m., the Center City Opera Theater will be performing their After Hours Arias. Artists will be in to performs timeless drinking songs from famous operas and sing along with members of their Young Artist Program.)

@Drink Philly, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 5/4 - First Friday (5:00pm-9:00pm; $Free to only Drink Philly subscribers for food and drink tastings from the new Boilermaker and check out some great art and music.)

@McFadden's at the Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 5/5 - Beer Fest at the Ballpark (2:00pm-7:00pm; $20/$40/$50 to sample over 50 different beers from 30+ craft breweries all while listening to live band & DJ music, indulging on great ballpark food with a Mexican flair.)

@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Spargelfest ($PAYG as every Thursday through Sunday in May, Chef Jeremy Nolen will be preparing some special dishes highlighting asparagus. An amazing draft/bottle list packed with tons of delicious beers to pair with the courses.)

@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa.--- throughout May 2012 - Liters for Litters ($PAYG as every Saturday in May from opening until 5 p.m., 50% of all draft beer sales will go to PAWS. Order a liter and get a raffle ticket for a great prize.)

@Hibernia County Park, Coatesville, Pa.--- Sun. 5/6 - SPCA Walk for Paws (11:00am-2:00pm; $PAYG to raise money for the SPCA by walking your 4-legged friend and then music and games for kids of all ages, food from various vendors including Victory Brewing Company, and various animal-related demonstrations and merchants.)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 5/8 - Philly Beer Geek Preliminary Round (7:30pm; $PAYG as the pub and the Lucky 13 Homebrew Club host a preliminary round for the annual 2012 Philly Beer Geek competition and we are looking for people to come on out and join us for a fun time with local beer trivia for those who are interested in joining the competition and those who just want to have fun! There will be samples of some of our members best homebrew and of course many fine beers on tap as well as a fantastic menu.)

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Jack Curtin's got us all hooked up lately with infographics. It might explain why I didn't see him at a Suburban Beer Week dinner at Craft Ale House on his home turf. Though, since these kind of postings can be auto-generated, he might very well have skipped town. Or it could've been one of those "got-eight-simultaneous-deadlines" things that actually isn't such a bad problem to have, at least financially speaking.

(UPDATE: I now see that he'll be brewing at Tröegs in Hershey later this week. Apparently, it's for some type of PBW '12 challenge between him and Lew Bryson to culminate with an event of some kind at Standard Tap. So, he's probably been busy concocting the recipe.)

Finally, since today's posting has been brought to you by the word "infograhic", here's one more infographic dug up for you by my own personal individualistic self of me. Bemoan that we may, the development and broadcasting of news has/is changed and the graphic does a fine job of pointing out the whats and hows of it all.